Beyond Early Intervention: Utilization of Community Resources and Supports by Families with Young Children with Disabilities.

This study examined the use of community resources and supports outside of formal infant/toddler and preschool programs for children with disabilities participating in early intervention programs in nine communities in three states (Colorado, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania). Data on community resource utilization were gathered for 16 months from parents of 135 infants/toddlers and 148 preschool children. Resources included child care, child therapy services, family need and support programs, health/mental health programs, recreational/socialization programs, and parent employment/education programs. Findings indicated that: (1) most families used community resources at least once during the period; (2) the proportion of families using resources increased over time; (3) child care services were the most frequently utilized resource; (4) the use of informal systems (family member or friend) was more prevalent than the use of formal systems; (5) approximately 34 percent of infants/toddlers and 39 percent of preschoolers received additional child therapy services; and (6) the use of child-centered services exceeded the use of family-centered services. Significant variability across communities was observed, suggesting that the community exerts a significant influence on the availability and utilization of child and family resources. The study protocol is appended. (Contains 24 references.) (DB)